Georgian PM meets Chinese Vice President

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who is paying an official visit to Georgia, accompanied by a delegation.

The PM emphasized the significance of the high-level visit of the Chinese delegation to Georgia.

“We attach special importance to the partnership and friendship that has been established between our countries. We highly value China’s attitude toward Georgia, and your visit to Georgia is yet another expression of this sentiment. Our diplomatic relations span 34 years, and we are pleased that, on the 34th anniversary of these relations, an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership was signed between the People’s Republic of China and Georgia. We are glad that this agreement brought tangible results,” he said.

The PM thanked the Chinese side for support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reconfirmed Georgia’s unwavering support for the One China principle.

He emphazised that deepening political cooperation and intensification of economic cooperation was significant for Georgia.

“Deepening political cooperation between us is of utmost importance to us. We attach particular significance to the development of economic cooperation between our countries, and we are pleased to note that, in this regard as well, there is a very positive dynamic and growing indicators. The trade and economic partnership between our countries is expanding year by year; however, it is our interest to see this cooperation deepen even further in the future.

We are pleased that, according to data for the current year, China represents Georgia’s largest investor, a fact that demonstrates the firm confidence of the Chinese business community and the Chinese side in Georgia’s economic environment. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the further development of our bilateral cooperation. We are interested in deepening our partnership as much as possible, including within the framework of the One Belt, One Road initiative,” he said.

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized Georgia’s strategic location, saying Georgia was naturally connecting Europe with Asia and the West with the East, stressing Georgia was interested in deepening cooperation in culture, education, science, sport, health, agriculture and environmental protection.

“For us, the relationship with China is of special importance. In the modern world, China is the only peaceful superpower, a state entirely focused on progress, modernization, advancement, and development. Therefore, we see a special tie of values between our countries, and this value foundation gives us additional motivation to pursue further development of bilateral relations. Mr Vice President, I am confident that your visit will give fresh impetus to the development of our bilateral relations. We are ready and will do our best to deepen our cooperation,” he concluded.

Chinese Vice President thanked the Georgian PM for hospitality and expressed hope that the China-Georgia strategic partnership would further develop.

“In recent years, our countries’ leaders have supported the development of bilateral relations. In June, President Xi Jinping and President Kavelashvili met and made a statement on a comprehensive strategic partnership. Next year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and China. Our strategic relations are growing ever stronger, and we wish to develop them further.

We hope to continue our friendship, partnership and cooperation with Georgia. Mutual support for the development of bilateral relations is especially important and is the main principle of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Georgia has long supported the one-China principle, and China, too, supports Georgia’s sovereignty, security and national development interests. We support the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the economic sphere. We have an economic development plan that will create new opportunities” he said.

Government members of Georgia and China participated in the expanded meeting at the Government Administration.